How I Decorated My House Christmas 2025
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My Christmas 2025 house is decorated in red and white. When Kasi was here last Saturday, I decided to have her get my tabletop Christmas tree out of the backyard shed.
At first, I hesitated to put it up, mainly because of the risk of kitten mischief. But then I chose a corner in the dining room where it’s hard for them to reach. And so far, so good.
It took me a few days to decorate it, but now it’s done. I didn’t put up my tabletop tree last year. But I’m home 99% of the time, so I will enjoy it with all the lights and red and white ornaments.
I did not purchase one thing. All I used was what I already had, and that was more than enough. In fact, I have too much stuff, and it has to be stored in that little shed in the backyard.
There are red-and-white ornaments, red ornaments, three little red bird ornaments (I wish I had a few more of those), and peppermint candy ornaments. Here and there, where there were empty spots, I tied red ribbon around some of the tree branches.
Do you see my bird ornaments? I can’t recall where I got them. I’ve had this same Christmas decor for years.
Where I Put the Tabletop Christmas Tree:
I decided the safest place to position the tree to deter the kittens was in the dining room corner. It was placed on a stool in a bucket I had on the porch, and I covered the stool with a small quilt.
I couldn’t find the base that supports the tree. Maybe it got left behind when I moved, since I didn’t put up the tree last year. I’d just moved, and putting up a Christmas tree wasn’t high on my list of priorities.
A bunch of dish rags holds up the tree, which I stuffed all around. Rhonda was here one day and added the red scalloped placemat, then followed up with a red-and-white-striped napkin over that. Now I can’t even recall why we thought it needed that, but it looks nice.
Thanksgiving is over, and we’re barreling toward Christmas. I don’t go out and buy presents, or even order them online. I’m not the grandma who bursts through the door with a bunch of boxes wrapped up for everyone.
If grandma gives presents, it’s gift certificates or books.
I’m the grandma who prefers to stay home with her cats and not join the revelry. I decided years ago that once the kids were raised, I could drop out of the holiday rat race. At my age, I should be able to celebrate however I want. And so I do that.
I put my vintage bowl in the center of the dining table and added rag ball ornaments and brown bells inside. The kittens discovered that bowl last night, and I heard bells being dragged across the floor.
I wanted to take a photo of the bowl this morning. But during the night, the kittens removed some of the rag ball ornaments and bells. I’ll find them all someday. As I walk through the house, I tend to find one here and there.
They must have had a lot of fun during the night, because now they’re napping.
Decorating for Christmas:
I do enjoy decorating for Christmas. Not many people will ever see my holiday decor—probably my daughters, the grandkids, Rhonda, and Steve if he comes over.
I decorate the season for myself and all of you. So I can enjoy the Christmas tree lights in the dining room from where I’m sitting in my chair writing this.
I just added a few things in the kitchen and the living room, and the rest in the dining room, which is rarely used unless company is here.
Well, I take that back. The kittens use the dining room all the time. Because all the rooms are off the dining room, and that’s where they run back and forth from room to room.
Once I turn the lights off at night after reading, they start playing, running, and chasing one another.
Tying the Ornaments on the Tree:
Another thing I always do is tie the ornaments on with jute or ribbon. Then they can’t get knocked off by a curious cat.
I began this practice a long time ago to keep ornaments from getting broken.
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Pretty tree! Merry Christmas!
It’s a beautiful tree! All of your holiday touches look wonderful. How lovely to cozy up there during these short, cold days.
Love the Christmas tree — size, tree decorations, and the way it is presented! How clever to use the quilt and the place mats! The red and white decor look so festive and cozy.
Your home and decorations are always so warm and cozy and inviting. You have a talent for taking a little and making it seem like much more. Love the way you put little things in unexpected places just to catch the eye. Enjoy your space and stay warm.
Your tree is very pretty and I really like the bowl with Santas and trees. I put up a small 4′ tree on the patio so I can see it from my chair. It has a remote for the lights.
Sadie Mae, my new cat, is into everything so I can only put small decorations where she can’t reach them. She is a rescue with 1 eye and the most curious cat I’ve ever had. But that also means I have another opportunity to go thru and donate some decorations.
Your tree looks so pretty! I love the red and white theme.
I love the way you’ve draped the tool and wrapped a quilt around the tree. There is just something about simplicity that radiates such warmth. I wonder if you will
ever find the ornaments you put in the bowl
soon! I have a beautiful pic of my Joey laying under the Christmas tree. He was a three legged wonder!
Then quilt brought the whole look together.
I enjoy your cozy simple posts. Your cat commentary is a joy.
I’m so glad you like them!
As I sit snuggled up in my cozy throw looking out at our first snow of the season I am enjoying your tree and stories. Everything looks beautiful and I love how frugal and creative you always are. I understand how enjoying the twinkling lights of the tree makes the season bright. That’s why I after Christmas is over I switch the ornaments to birds and snowflakes for another month or two. I think all of us enjoy hearing and seeing others magical seasonal collections. I am a homebody just like you and many others and with 2 grandsons who are over playing with toys it is hard for them to buy for. Luckily they are level headed about asking for gifts and sometimes will wait until after the holidays to take advantage of the sales or to see what sparks their interest with what their peers have received. Works for me. Have a wonderful weekend!
I’m considering leaving the tree up and decorating it year-round.
Brenda, your tree and decorations are lovely.
I too use tabletop trees. I have 3. 2 in my dining room and 1 in my living room. One us covered in snowmen, the other 2 are all those old family ornaments.
I went through all those Christmas bins and am getting rid of at least half of that stuff. Those days of decorating the whole house and outside are over for me. I too stay at home and enjoy my lights. Sometimes my kids come and sometimes they don’t. I try not to let the season stress me these days!
I had 2 dogs years ago that lived sleeping under the tree. When they were puppies they’d go after the lower ornaments so I too tied them on. The things we do so our fur babies don’t get into trouble.
I hope you have a nice, peaceful holiday season!
I already tossed some decorations that had seen better days or were cheap to begin with.
Your tree is beautiful ! Not sure what I’m going to do my new windows should be here between now and Christmas. I miss not having a cat . When I did, I must have been very blessed I never had a cat try to climb my tree. I do hang jingle bell ornaments around the bottom. Then I know if my cats or dog were getting a bit to close . They were not ornaments, they were alarms ! Lol ! I miss those days ! I will put my Santa’s on the fireplace mantle. And I’m sure I’ll put a few other little things here and there .
What a great idea!
Your tree is perfect!
What cracks me up is how cats feel so entitled. They see something (in this case, your table ornaments) and just TAKE them! Play with them. Saturate them in cat saliva. Hide them. Then look at you blankly as if you are crazy when you ask if they saw them!
You’re absolutely correct about that!
Brenda I also would secure the tree by tying it so dogs , cats & kids didn’t pull it over !!
I now use table top trees too.
Tabletop trees are so much easier to set up and decorate!
Beautiful tree.
Thanks!